Owner`s manual

14
sions for DRM (Digital Rights Management).
Microsoft originally claimed that WMA files had
better sound quality than MP3 files recorded at
the same bitrate. Subsequent double-blind test-
ing have repeatedly confirmed that the file for-
mats are very similar.
AAC Format
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is another lossy
compression and encoding format for digital
audio. The AAC format has been made popular
as it is the standard format for the Apple iPod.
AAC offers more sample and bitrate options as
compared to MP3 files. Sampling rates from 8
kHz to 96kHz are available) and up to 48 channels
can be encoded.
AAC happens to the default audio codec used on
the PlayStation 3, PSP, the Apple iTunes website
and iPod products.
DivX
At the forefront of compressed video technol-
ogy is the DivX codec. The latest version of this
codec, called DivX 6 (or DivX Media Format)
reduces the file size of digital movies while retain-
ing support for multiple audio tracks, interactive
menus, chapter points, multiple video streams
and subtitles.
For 2009, the Clarion NX509, VX709, VZ709, and
VZ509 support the DivX Media Format in its native
form. Offering high quality, fully interactive movie
playback. These units are fully DivX Certified.
Compressed Media Formats
Transmitting audio and data via satellite spawned
the need to various formats of media compres-
sion. These formats allow multiple signals to
occupy the same bandwidth as an uncom-
pressed signal. This increased efficiency, reduces
cost and allows more data to be transmitted at
higher speeds.
Clarion is at the forefront of compressed media
file playback. For 2009, Clarion offers support for
AAC, DiVX and MPEG compressed media files to
our already extensive list.
WAVE Format
Wave (.wav) files are considered to be uncom-
pressed. This is file format is used for the stor-
age of 2-channel audio in digital form. The file
is stored in PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) form
and uses the standard 44,100 samples per sec-
ond, 16 bits per sample times two channels. The
resulting data rate is 1,411.2 kbps.
MP3 Format
MP3 files gained popularity due to their reduced
file size. MP3 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3.
MP3 files use perceptual encoding to reduce files
sizes while limiting the effect on sound quality.
The MP3 standard allows for bitrates between
32 kbps and 320 kbps with sampling rates of 32,
44.1 and 48 kHz. A higher bitrate represents less
compression and better (relative to the original)
sound quality.
ID3 Tag Display
ID3 tags were created and inserted at the end
of an MP3 file allow for the storage of metadata
information such as song title, artist, album name,
genre and year.
WMA Format
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is a compressed
audio file format created by Microsoft. It is very
similar in concept to MP3 files, but includes provi-
Technologies